2010 Past Events
Whats on | 30th Anniversary | In Conversation | Book Launch | Lunchtime Talks | Evening Talks | Workshops | Exhibitions
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Australian Poetry Slam
Top End and Central Australian HeatsWednesday 20 October 6pm
Darwin: The Northern Territory Library, Parliament House, State Square
Alice Springs: Alice Springs Public Library, cnr Leichhardt & Gregory Terraces
View this recorded event NOW on NT Library Web TV
An electric live event where the audience is the judge! Contestants have 2 minutes to impress judges with original poetry, monologue or hip-hop. Each NT heat winner will receive a $300 cash prize. The 2 NT heat winners will then go on to battle for the coveted national title in Sydney.
For more info go to: australianpoetryslam.com
‘The New North: Canada's Perspective’ by Flo Frank
Coordinated by The Northern Institute at CDUFriday 8 October 8:30am -10:00am
Ms Flo Frank is one of Canada’s most highly respected community development practitioners. Communities and organizations reshaping their futures are her primary focus - specifically those with high Indigenous populations in transition. Canada’s issues associated with governance, health, economic development, education in remote environments have resonances with the NT’s current circumstances.
Ms Frank is currently writing a book on new styles of advocacy and leadership, cultural stewardship in community development and another one titled Belonging, Beliefs and the Capacity to Act.
Bonding, Bopping and Books
Bonding, Bopping and Books is an arts-based community library program, focusing on active learning. This program which has just commenced in Angurugu, Groote Eylandt will encourage shared creative play involving family members and young children. Emphasise will be on listening and responding to music, visual art, dance, literature and multimedia, as a foundation for early literacy and numeracy learning, and an important step towards school-readiness.
Family members, together with local library staff, will have the opportunity to share with each other favourite early childhood resources and play-based activities that support early learning. Families will be introduced to additional early learning opportunities which aim to build both English and digital literacy skills, ready for their children’s transition to school learning. NT Library is collaborating with existing early childhood services to ensure that Bonding, Bopping and Books complements and extends the local services in Angurugu.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Wednesday 7 July 10:00am
Come in to the Library and see the ‘One Mob, Different Country’ Dancers, followed by a welcome to country. Then stay and hear the Minbeni Larrakia Women Rangers talk about their group and current projects, and their advice to the next generation. The 2010 theme for NAIDOC Week is ‘Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way’.
National Simultaneous Storytime
‘Little White Dogs Can’t Jump’ Written by: Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith
Wednesday 26 May 10:00am
Hosted by Charlie King @ the Northern Territory Library, Parliament House and Minister for Arts & Museums, Gerry McCarthy will read @ Tennant Creek Library
View this recorded event NOW on NT Library Web TV
For 2010 the event includes remote participation, through real-time two-way web conferencing, of children in Lajamanu, Wadeye, Elliott, Mataranka, Miligimbie, Ramingining, Taminmin and Nhulunbuy.
Screens will be set up at the NTL and in participating libraries, allowing direct, live contact between readers and children in urban and regional areas.
Last year 120,000 children at over 830 locations around the country took part in this simultaneous book reading. Aimed at helping children to discover libraries, and to highlight the importance of books, reading and literacy for children.
'Territory Women' Event Launch and Display
Monday 8 March 5.15
Extensively researched by NTL staff, this fascinating new online collection of comprehensive information reveals intriguing details about these amazing women. The database draws material from a broad range of resources and allows online access from a single location – the Northern Territory Library website.
The launch of the database and accompanying display aims to celebrate and tell the stories of these women, who have by their service, sacrifice and bravery, lead the way to become the makers of our history. It will also allow the eclectic compilation of stories to be easily accessed, ensuring that they remain a source of inspiration and encouragement for generations to come.
The exhibition launch will include a talk from guest speaker, Ms Margaret Reynolds who held positions as a Federal Government representative on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation 1992-1995; Minister assisting PM on Status of Women 1988-1990; Chair of the Parliamentary Adviser to the United Nations; and Minister for Local Government 1987-1990. She is now the National President of the United Nations Association of Australia and an Adjunct Professor and Sessional Lecturer in the School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Queensland.
2010 Winner of the ‘Territory Read NT Book of the Year’ Announced
The 2010 Winner of the ‘Territory Read NT Book of the Year’ is Marie Munkara, for her wonderful book ‘Every Secret Thing’.
A presentation ceremony was held at Parliament House on 12 February, with Gerry McCarthy MLA, Minister for Arts and Museums, announcing the winner. ‘Every Secret Thing’ is Marie’s first novel, published by University of Queensland Press in 2009. Marie was also awarded the David Unaipon Award in 2008.
The ‘Territory Read NT Book of the Year Award’ is coordinated by the NT Writers' Centre. Congratulations to other short listed entries:
‘Cassie’ by Barry Jonsberg
‘Listen Deeply, let these stories in’ by Kathleen Kemarre Wa
llace and Judy Lovell
‘My Private Pectu’s by Shane Thamm
‘The Devil you Know’ by Leonie Norrington
‘The Red Highway’ by Nicolas Rothwell
The aim of the Territory Read Award is to help NT authors develop a national profile for their books. Last year's winner, Andrew McMillan, enjoyed a huge year of national and international promotion as a result of the award.
Northern Territory Library Celebrates its 30th Anniversary
An exciting year-long program is planned to acknowledge the Library’s remarkable achievements and ongoing contribution to Northern Australian cultural life, beginning with:
“Speaking Walls: The residents of Government House”
A ramble by Austin Asche and Tom Pauling
Wednesday 10 November 12:00pm
View this recorded event NOW on NT Library Web TV
Listen to this event NOW on NT Library Podcast
Former and current Administrators of the Northern Territory; come and hear these two Territory icons in-conversation in a unique event that is sure to entertain and enlighten.
Darwin Festival Events - In Conversation
Free Talks & WorkshopsDuration: 60mins
Darwin Festival, in conjunction with the Northern Territory Library presents 'In Conversation', an exciting program of talks and workshops from local and visiting artists.
Rhoda Roberts
Saturday 28 August 12:00pmBundjalung woman, founder of the Dreaming Festival and current Artistic Director of the Garma Festival, Rhoda Roberts talks about her experiences, hopes and dreams for Indigenous Australian artists. Rhoda is an artist in her own right and Darwin Festival are immensely proud to be working with her on her new creation BodymARKS for Wanga Mirak, the 2010 Darwin Festival closing event.
Trans Cultural Jazz
Wednesday 25 August 12:00pmAt the cross-road between traditional and contemporary jazz, sits an extraordinary group of musicians who will gather in Darwin for the 2010 Festival. Australian jazz aficionado Sandy Evans; new music producer, Tos Mahoney; bassist, Michael Galeazzi; Guru Kaaraikkudi Mani and Adrian Sherriff represent the international artists who are challenging the old with the new.
Screening of “You Only Live Twice -The incredible true story of the Hughes Family”
Wednesday 18 August, 5.15pm
This is a remarkable documentary on an extraordinary group of people that spans four generations: The Hughes family. The youngest, Christa, is known to many as the front woman of rock band Machine Gun Fellatio and one of the stars of Circus Oz. Her father Dick is a lauded jazz star, while her grandfather was a foreign correspondent and an international man of mystery – and best mates with Bond creator Ian Fleming. And that's just the beginning!
Come along to the documentary before you see Christa and Dick Hughes in concert!
Head Full of Love
Thursday 19 August 12:00pmOne of Australia’s most respected theatre directors Wesley Enoch talks with the charismatic cast of Head Full of Love, a world premiere play based on Central Australia’s famed Beanie Festival and the humble people and artworks that abound at this curious event. The play opens at Brown’s Mart Theatre on Tuesday 24 August.
Looking Back, Racing Forward
Monday 16 August 12:00pmThree of the Top End's creative legends: Ali Mills, Bong Ramilo and Gary Lee join up for a chat with Darwin Festival Artistic Director Jo Duffy as they attempt to decipher urban myth from historical fact.
Ngarukuruwala: We Sing Songs
Tuesday 17 August 12:00pmLast year, the Strong Women’s Group from Nguiu made a monumental journey to the National Archive Institutions in Canberra to repatriate treasured sounds and images to their rightful home on the Tiwi Islands. Teresita Puruntatameri and co-collaborator Genevieve Campbell recount their tales of journeys shared and their pride in a project that has opened minds, doors and hearts.
Book Launch
Finding Santana Jill Jolliffe
Thursday 2 December 5:15pm
‘Dictionary of Anatomy - Dhäruk Mala ga Mayali’ Rumbalpuy, English – Yolŋu Matha’ by Marilyn McLellan PhD
Tuesday 7 September 5:15pm
This is the first dictionary of its kind translating between English and an Australian Indigenous language. It contains over 130 descriptive anatomical entries with related pathology; an invaluable tool for closing the gap in health literacy and improving communication across cultures.
Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) is proud to launch what will become a vital resource for Indigenous health workers, interpreters and health professionals working with Yolŋu people who speak the Djambarrpuyŋu language.
‘Honey Ant Readers’ by Margaret James for Indigenous Literacy Day
Wednesday 1 September 4:10pmIndigenous Literacy Day raises awareness of the need to improve literacy in remote Indigenous communities around Australia, and is an initiative of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Margaret James is an Alice Springs author who has written a series of 20 early-childhood books, illustrated by Wendy Paterson and edited by Rosemary Butler. The readers were developed in consultation with Indigenous elders in Alice Springs.
'Counting With Birds from Northern Australia' by Jasmine Jan
Thursday 26 August 6pm
Well-known Darwin artist Jasmine Jan will launch her new children's book 'Counting With Birds from Northern Australia.' This unique and beautiful book is illustrated with Jasmine's distinctive watercolours of familiar local birds.
This launch is during ‘Children's Book Week’, which celebrates books and Australian authors and illustrators.
Jasmine's book will be officially launched by His Honour Mr Tom Pauling AO QC, Administrator of the Northern Territory.
Marri Ngarr and Magati Ke plants and animals.
Aboriginal knowledge of flora and fauna from the Moyle River and Rak Neninh - Wadeye (Port Keats) areas, north Australia.
By Maree Klesch and Glenn Wightman
7 May 5:15pm
This is a truly wonderful book containing Marri Ngarr and Magati Ke traditional names and ecological knowledge for over 660 plants and animals. It also includes the scientific names, English common names and the Murrinhpatha names, the most commonly spoken language at Wadeye, for all these plants and animals.
The project included many Elders and language workers, working in their communities to document and record their traditional knowledge. This book makes a wonderful contribution to ensuring this knowledge is available to future generations and contributing to our understanding of the biodiversity and ethnobiology of the Northern Territory.
“Baby S.O.S.” by Theresa Goode
Thursday 18 February 5:15pm
Theresa will talk about her new book which looks at common problems and offers solutions for babies from birth to 12 months.
'Baby S.O.S.' is a must read for new mums and dads, looking at over 60 common problems with real solutions, and answering more than 200 common questions. With the addition of St John Ambulance Australia's Basic first Aid Guide 'Baby S.O.S.' seeks to help new mums and dads get a basic understanding of first aid procedures.
Lunchtime Talk
ABC Open’s ‘Now and Then’ Photographic Exhibition
Wednesday 8 December 12:10pm
ABC Open is creating a new online exhibition. Territorians have been invited to upload images which depict a single archival photograph (for example a family or historical picture), framed within a contemporary photograph of the same location and viewpoint. This exhibition will illustrate the impact of time upon people and environments, while also portraying a story of past events and moments.
A workshop will also be held on Saturday 11 December from 9:00am until 1:00pm, more details can be found online at www.open.abc.net.au.
“The Case of the Invisible Archivist and the Invisible Records Manager” By Pat Jackson
Tuesday 23 November 12.10pm
Pat argues that research conducted over ten years ago into the temperament types of archivists and recordkeepers has resonance today and implications for the advocacy of the archives and the recordkeeping function both within government and with our community stakeholders.
'Investing in the equity of the Human Spirit' by Janet Buhagiar
CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society NT
Friday 22 October 12:10pm
Janet spent eight years in senior management roles with retailer Coles Myer, but decided to transfer her corporate skills to an organisation where her “shareholders” were disadvantaged people, and where she could truly make a difference to those in need.
Janet currently sits on the Board of NT Shelter, a non-profit housing organisation, and has been involved in the community sector in a voluntary capacity, both on the ground and in leadership positions, for over 8 years.
Janet is a finalist in this years’ Telstra Business Woman’s Awards.
'Social Inclusion of Indigenous People and Perspectives in Higher Education and the Role of IHEAC'
by Professor Steve Larkin - new Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership at CDU
Presented by UNAANT
Professor Larkin is the highest ranking Indigenous person in an Australian university, and has extensive leadership experience in Indigenous organisations. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Social Science (Welfare and Social Policy) and is completing his PhD on the topic “Race matters? Indigenous employment in the Australian Public Service”.
‘Dark Life: How Life Underground Can Point to Life in the Stars’ by Dr Hazel Barton
Wednesday 18 August 12:10pmAs part of 2010 Science Week, Dr Barton will explain her understanding of microbial interactions and processes in underground caves. She has been collaborating with NASA on planetary protection, and examining the similarities between cave conditions and the subsurfaces on Mars. Dr. Barton will also talk about cave microorganisms and astrobiology.
Jack Mulholland with an introduction by Tom Lewis OAM
Tuesday 8 June 12:10pmJack was an AA gunner in WWII, and fought in the first raids. His station was on the Darwin Oval, approx 700m from the NT Library. Jack is also the author of "Darwin Bombed", which some consider to be one of the most accurate eye witness accounts.
Wordstorm Event ‘Now or Never’ by Tim Flannery
Presented by the NT Writers Centre
Wednesday 12 May 12:10pm
Professor Tim Flannery speaks to his Quarterly essay, ‘Now or Never’, in which he investigated the latest climate science and the challenges facing Australia and the world. What can governments and individuals do if the nation is to play its part in averting a global catastrophe?
Internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and conservationist, Tim Flannery has published more than 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers. His books include the landmark works The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers and in 2007 honoured as Australian of the Year.
Introduction by Susan Wills.
Selling an American Dream: Australia’s Greek Café by curator Leonard Janiszewski
Tuesday 11 May 12:10pm
Leonard is an historian and curator of this exhibition and has been researching the Greek-Australian historical and contemporary presence in both Australia and Greece, along with documentary photographer, Effy Alexakis, since 1982.
Their project and archives, based at Macquarie University, Sydney, In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians, encompasses visual, oral and literary material, and is one of the most significant collections in the country.
‘The Copenhagen Climate Summit: Where to from here?’ by The Hon. Robert Hill – Former Australian Ambassador to the UN.
Hosted by United Nations Assoc. Australia NT (UNAANT) Inc
Monday 15 March 12:10pmMr Hill’s presentation is an overview of the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen and its implications for the future. The Hon. Robert Hill is a former Liberal Senator, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Defence. In 2006 he was appointed Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and later appointed to head the Australian Carbon Trust. Mr Hill is now national President of the United Nations Association of Australia.
‘For Tiwi People Football Means Life’: Northern Territory Football, 1916-1953
Wednesday 10 March 12:10pm
Matthew Stephen from NT Archive Service will be giving a talk titled ‘For Tiwi People Football Means Life’: Northern Territory Football 1916-1953.
Following his talk will be the launch of the Northern Territory Library’s history of Tiwi Football display ‘Kicking Goals – Tiwi Style’. This display can be viewed from 10 March until 1 May 2010. The display will take you back in time by means of a time-line and photographs of the history of Tiwi Football.
Evening Talk
24th Eric Johnston Lecture to be Delivered by Ms Banduk Marika
Friday 26 November
Refreshments from 6.30pm | Event commences 7:00pm
View this recorded event NOW on NT Library Web TV
Listen to this event NOW on NT Library Podcast
Banduk Marika is probably the most well-known contemporary female artist of Eastern Arnhem Land. She divides her time between cities such as Sydney and Yirrkala.
She was chairperson of the Aboriginal Visual Arts Committee of the Australia Council for the Arts, and elected to the boards of the National Gallery of Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of NT. In 2001 she won the Australia Council’s 2001 Red Ochre Award, and in 2005 won the NATSIAA Bark Painting Award. Banduk Marika, in partnership with Margie West and other members of the Rirratjingu clan, were the 2009 joint winners of the Chief Ministers NT History Book Award for “Yalangbara: art of the Djang’kawu”.
Vote of thanks to be given by His Honour Mr Tom Pauling AO QC, Administrator of the Northern Territory.
'The United Nations University and Indigenous Australians - negotiating partnerships and leading the world' by Sam Johnston
Monday 4 October 12.10pm
Sam Johnston is head of the United Nations University in Australia and helped to establish a Research and Training Centre on Traditional Knowledge at CDU. He operates out of Melbourne and Japan – the headquarters of the UNU, which is the research hub of the United Nations.
He has published extensively on international environmental law; governance of international spaces and international regulation of biotechnology. He co-authored the first edition of the Handbook of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Earthscan, 2001) and Global Environmental Problems and International Environmental Agreements: the Economics of International Institution Building (Edward Elgar, 1999).
‘Listening to Country’ by Ros Moriarty
Tuesday 14 September 5:15pm
Ros Moriarty was formerly a journalist with Radio Australia. She has also held senior positions in the Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Ros is currently Designer and Managing Director of Balarinji Studio, an Indigenous art and design group. Balarinji is best known for covering Qantas jumbos in Aboriginal designs.
Ros’ new book, Listening to Country is the moving and personal story of her journey into the remote Tanami Desert with the matriarchs of her husband's family.
“Stories from A Broad: Storytelling, the Territory, East Timor and Me” by Anne E Stewart
Sunday 15 August 5:15pm
In her talk, Anne will share some of her experiences, tell some yarns and talk of her connection to East Timor and its people through the death of her brother Tony at Balibo in 1975.
'Yellow fella, any fella. It doesn't matter what your colour. Because you end up "indigenous" fella...' Dr Sue Stanton
Tuesday 17 August 5:15pm
Dr Stanton is a Kungarakan-Gurindji woman, a colonial historian, and was the first Aboriginal to win a Fulbrite scholarship to the US. She has an MA from Arizona and a PhD from CDU. She is currently engaged in Indigenous education and is involved in research with the National Library of Australia.
Maggie Beer - Senior Australian of the Year
‘Current Politics and Deplorable Media Coverage’ by Mungo MacCallum
Tuesday 29 June 5:15pm
Come and join us to hear this talk by political journalist and commentator Mungo MacCallum. Mungo has also authored several books, including ‘Run, Johnny, Run’ written after the Australian federal election, 2004, and ‘Poll Dancing’ in 2007.
Selling an American Dream: Australia’s Greek Café
Monday 10 May 6:30pm
To celebrate Greek Culture in Australia, leading into the Glenti this month, the Northern Territory Library will launch the new Selling an American Dream: Australia’s Greek Café Exhibition with a relaxed ‘In Conversation’ style talk.
The guest panel will be Neville Pantazis (Parap Fine Foods) Evan Papandonakis (Yotz Greek Taverna) Lillian Gomatos (Elements Day Spa). They will discuss growing up in the food service industry, and how important food is, not only in Greek culture, but how it bonds the community together.
Herbert Basedow and the 1903 expedition to Central Australia by David M. Welch
Thursday 29 April 5:15pm
In 2008 David M. Welch published ‘Notes on some Native Tribes of Central Australia- By Herbert Basedow, 1903’.
David’s talk and visual presentation, revolves around Basedow’s remarkable photographs, early written recordings of Aboriginal culture and Central Australian rock art. He will describe the process of researching, compiling and publishing Basedow’s material into a new book, titled ‘Notes on some Native Tribes of Central Australia’. This book is a compilation of material recorded by Herbert Basedow during an expedition lasting from March to November 1903. It was compiled from his anthropological notes, his journal notes and previously unpublished photographs from his photo album, and provides an early record of aboriginal people before their lives were changed forever by the incursions of European civilisation.
Book sales and signing will be available, cash only.
Putting Herbert Basedow Back in Focus - With Apolline Kohen, MAGNT
Thursday 15 April 5:15pm
Apolline Kohen catalogued and documented Basedow’s 3000 photographs held at the National Museum of Australia, and published a paper with Murray Garde in the AIATSIS journal. She will present a talk providing insight into how Herbert Basedow became interested in Aboriginal cultures, and how he used photography to support his anthropological theories.
‘The Dynamics of a Changing Federation’ by Hon Margaret Reynolds
Presented by NT Institute of Public Administration (IPAA)
Monday 8 March 3:30pm-4:30pm
Ms Reynolds was a former Senator and Minister for Local Government and the Status of Women. She is currently State Manager of the National Disability Service (Tasmania) & Chair of the Board of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Address by Terry O’Gorman, President of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties
Hosted by the Criminal Lawyers Association of the Northern Territory
Thursday 4 March 5:30pm
‘Writing BALIBO’ with author Jill Jolliffe
Thursday 25 February 5:15pm
Darwin author Jill Jolliffe will talk about her latest book ‘Balibo’, the tie-in book to the award-winning film by director Robert Connolly.
The work is based on her first-hand experiences as a freelance journalist during the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor during which five television reporters known as The Balibo Five were killed in cold blood. It is a substantially revised version of her 2001 work ‘Cover-Up: the Inside Story of the Balibo Five’ from which the screenplay was written. Committed to bringing out the truth about what happened, Jill now lives in Darwin and reports regularly from East Timor.
Workshops
ABC Open's 'Now and Then' Photographic Workshop by Will Tinapple
Saturday 11 December 9:00am -1:00pm
'Now and Then' is a photography project exploring the evolving history of Australian places and people. Inspiration has been taken from the flickr group, Looking Into the Past which shows how a single image framed in a new one can ignite our imaginations and open a door to the past.
ABC Open’s Top End producer Will Tinapple will be facilitating the workshop where he will share technical tips on using your camera beyond ‘auto’ and introduce you to GIMP software which will enable you to merge the old and new photographs, and share them through flickr. Find out more at ABC.
‘Heritage in the Territory - The Big Picture’ coordinated by National Trust NT
Sunday 9 May 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Speakers include Dr Mickey Dewar and Daryl Guse. Part of the ‘Ten Days at the Top’ Heritage Festival .
NT Literary Awards Workshop - Coordinated by the NT Writers Centre
Sunday 26 September 10:00am-1:00pm
'Shut up, nobody wants to hear your poems!' with Keri Glastonbury
Keri Glastonbury will work with local poets to help develop their work in readiness for the NT Literary Awards in 2011. Keri Glastonbury is a poet and lecturer in Creative Writing at The University of Newcastle.
Workshops will also be held in: Alice Springs, Thursday September 23, 6:00-9:00 pm and Tennant Creek, Friday September 24, 5:00-7:00pm.
For more information and to register, phone 8941 2651 or email: info@ntwriters.com.au
‘Getting Started’ Family History Workshop
Wednesday 8 September 5:30pm
Genealogical research is a popular pursuit for many Territorians, and our helpful Library staff will help you to get started tracing your family tree and accessing information relating to your ancestry.
There are many resources available to help you find details to really flesh out the stories of family members. In this workshop we will show you how to access common and not-so-common sources to gather information about your family.
‘Sharing Your Story’ Workshop
Tuesday 7 September 6:15pm
This workshop is an introduction to the skills needed to submit photos and text to websites. It will include topics such as:
- Creating a document for website submission
- Sourcing and saving digital photos from emails, discs and memory sticks
- Opening and saving digital photos and images - what are the different formats?
- Uploading photos and images to a webpage
- Troubleshooting
Library staff will also explain how you can contribute your stories to the Library’s ‘Territory Stories’ and ‘Remembering Territory Families’ Online Databases, contributing your stories and photographs to our collection. The aim is to collect and preserve stories, documents and photographs from all Territorians.
“My adventures in The National Archives at Kew” by Esther Townes
Saturday 7 August 9am
Family history is the second biggest subject on the web, with sites receiving billions of hits per year.
The workshop will provide information on the sources available for research at the Northern Territory Library. National Family History Week runs nationally from 30 July - 8 Aug. This year’s theme is ‘Past - Present – Future’.
Family History Workshop
Saturday 10 April 9am – 12pm
'Waking the Dead' - John Richards of the NT Library will talk about the research possible with the records of the death of a person, including civil registration, church records, cemeteries, memorials and tombstones, wills/testamentary/probate/deceased estate files.
‘Managing Paperwork’ - Family historians generate a lot of paperwork! Margret Curry will deliver an overview of the various industry standards, including software, filing structures and dealing with digital images.
‘The Johnsons and the Drysdales’ - Join Colin Beard for an illuminating talk about two important pioneering families from the NT. The workshop will also provide information on the sources available for research at the Northern Territory Library.
‘Beginnings’ Writing Workshop
Saturday 20 March 2-5pm
Want to get writing? Do you have an idea for a short story but don’t know where to start?
Have you a personal or travel journal that could turn into something more?
Or do you need some techniques for kick-starting your imagination?
‘Beginnings’ is a workshop that will cover all of the above, and is especially aimed at new writers. Presented by Bronwyn Mehan, this workshop will show you how to:
- tap into your imagination
- draw from everyday experiences and memories
- give structure to your writing
- use characters, place and dialogue
Cost: Full $55 / NTWC member $40 / concession $35 / concession member $25
Exhibitions
Great Air Race Exhibition
1 December - 21 December
“A prize of £10,000 proved tempting bait” March 1919, at the end Great War, Prime Minister Billy Hughes offered a prize of £10,000 to the first all-Australian crew to fly a plane from England to Australia in less than 30 days. Hughes had thrown down the greatest challenge of all time to the young Australian servicemen who had flown during their war service.
The winning team departed England on the 12 November 1919 and reached Darwin on 10 December. This new exhibition features photographs from the Northern Territory Library's collection depicting the airmen landing in Darwin and a model replica of the winning aircraft.
‘Behind the Lines’ Exhibition
15 September - 7 November
Through the eyes of Australia’s top cartoonists, this National Museum of Australia travelling exhibition captures the twists and turns of another eventful year in Australian politics.
‘Spirit of Arnhem Land’ - Exhibition by Penny Tweedie
28 June - 5 September
Drawn from Penny’s book ‘Spirit of Arnhem Land’, the stunning images chronicle aboriginal life at the end of the 20th century and offer an unparalleled story of a people connected to their country for over 50,000 years.
Selling an American Dream: Australia’s Greek Café
May - 20 June
This national touring exhibition chronicles a significant Australian story: how one key institution – the Greek café – set the agenda and broadly affected and influenced popular Australian culture. The exhibition comprises of over 100, mostly B&W, historical and contemporary photographic images featuring Greek cafés, their predecessors, (the oyster saloon, soda/sundae ‘parlor’ and milk bar) and those who ran, worked in, and frequented these establishments.
‘A Different Time : The Expedition Photographs of Herbert Basedow'
A Travelling Exhibition from the National Museum of Australia
April - 2 May
Herbert Basedow was an anthropologist, geologist & doctor, whose photographs document his expeditions to central Australia in the early 1900s. The images provide an historical record of life in remote Australia at that time.
In 1903, Basedow studied natural history and geology, and compiled a detailed journal on the Aboriginal groups he encountered, collecting a vocabulary of about 1500 words of the Aluridja (Western desert) and Aranda languages. He also collected Aboriginal songs and other material in the Petermann Ranges where his language skills proved essential to the expedition's success. Basedow was one of the few men of his time to show an active interest in recording traditional Aboriginal life.
‘Kicking Goals – Tiwi Style'
April - 1 May
The Northern Territory Library’s has a historic display of Tiwi Football memorabilia. The display will take you back in time, and will show a time-line of how the Tiwi passion for this sport evolved. Along with many wonderful photographs, this display showcases the past history of Tiwi Football to the success it is today.
Annual WWII Exhibition 'Serving in the Territory, 1941-1945'
15 February - 21 March
In commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin.
In 1944, 63 690 men and women were serving in the Northern Territory and experiencing the Tropics for the very first time.
The exhibition uses photographs, newspapers and original documents from the Library’s collection, showing the adverse conditions under which our military forces lived whilst protecting Australia’s north during the Second World War.
Goyder Expedition Photos
Wednesday 3 February – 17 February
An exhibition of photos of the Goyder Expedition leading up to and over the course of the Goyder Day Commemoration events. These 19 stereoscope photographs were the first form of 3D viewing in the 1800's, and were taken during the Goyder survey expedition (1869-1870). These significant photos of Darwin's history were purchased by the Northern Territory Library and are a valuable addition to its special collections.
Cyclone Tracy Exhibition - A Northern Territory Library Exhibition from its own collections
14 December – 7 February
On 24 December 1974 Cyclone Tracy virtually destroyed Darwin. The next morning most of Darwin's population of 48,000 found themselves homeless due to the largest natural disaster in Australia’s history.
The Library’s Cyclone Tracy collection features the fascinating evacuees list of nearly 33,000 names, recording one of the biggest logistical peacetime exercises ever undertaken in Australia.
The many other records and dedications on display pay tribute to the victims and survivors of this tragedy. This collection brings to light an unforgettable episode in the Territory’s history.
Please take the time to also view our online Cyclone Tracy Exhibition.